MY ROCK

He was always so strong and dependable,my Brian.We all thought,as did Brian,that he was invulnerable,a little like Superman.He was our rock.The whole family leaned on him heavily.He was always there for every one of us,no matter what we needed.We had no reason to believe he couldn't go on forever,with good health,a great sense of humor and a twinkle of mischief and fun,always in his eyes.

He was my hero,my friend and my,always eager,lover.One reason we loved going out in our boat,aside from fishing and swimming,was that it was very private and we often found a secluded spot for romance.

One such gorgeous summer day,we stayed out on the water rather late.That was unusual.I didn't like driving the boat in the dark.We entered the docking area and I turned the boat into our private dock.I usually threw the boat into reverse at the last moment,to stop the boat from hitting the dock and to bring us to a full stop.

The boat stalled.Brian had to lean over the side quickly and use the strength in his arms to stop a two and a half ton boat.He did it and then he sat down rather suddenly and clutched his chest.His face was greenish white in the lamplight.He fell to the deck retching and gasping for air.I jumped out of the boat and tied it up,and called for help.There wasn't a soul around.

We still weren't sure what was wrong.The fact that he was in pain was so alien to both of us.I told him I would have to leave him for a moment to get help.He begged me not to leave him.I found out later,that he thought he was going to die right there and didn't wish to die alone.

The car was parked up on a moderately steep hill.I couldn't bring it down to the dock.I would have to help him walk up the hill.We were wasting precious moments.We walked.The pain by now,was so intense,tears were running down his face and he had great difficulty breathing.I drove like the proverbial bat out of Hell to the gatehouse,where a park ranger called 911 immediately.The ambulance arrived and the paramedics took his vital signs and told me it was very serious.

I told them I would follow them in my car.They said I would not be able to keep up with them.Since I didn't know where the hospital was,the ranger kindly offered to lead me there in his truck.The hospital was in a nearby village.I could hardly see the road for tears, flooding my eyes,non stop.My heart was pounding so hard,I could hear it.I had a horrible feeling of dread.

When we drove into the parking lot,I waved a shaky thankyou to the ranger and looked at the building.Oh my God! It was a tiny country clinic.Maybe,there wasn't even a doctor on duty.........To be continued.